Northern Ireland’s Leading Children’s Theatre Company Cahoots NI Showcase on the World Stage

By Guy Corr

23 August 2018

Now in its seventeenth year, multi-award winning children’s theatre company, Cahoots NI is more prolific than ever before, producing world-class theatre for children from all backgrounds both locally and across the globe offering a magical experience for everyone.

Cahoots NI is a registered charity in Northern Ireland and one of the fastest growing theatre companies in the country. Through continually developing its offering with the use of cutting edge magic and visual techniques, Cahoots NI offers a unique platform to showcase the finest local talent and produce a wide-range of shows within unique spaces and venues globally. Leading the way on the world stage has always been a key focus for the company who has already performed in 3 continents – Asia, Europe and North America, with the 2017 production of Nivelli’s War finding a home on Broadway, New York. With a very exciting year ahead planned, 2019 will be the biggest yet for the theatre company. With a core focus of creating inspiring work for children in Northern Ireland, Cahoots NI continues to introduce theatre to new audiences locally and inspire children of all ages to embrace the Arts.

Cahoots NI has produced an array of world-class productions, from Julia Donaldson’s thrilling tale, The Snail and the Whale, to the internationally acclaimed Egg, which won the title of Best Production for Young People at the Off West End Theatre Awards. This autumn Cahoots NI and The MAC will present Under The Hawthorn Tree, a thrilling musical adaptation of the internationally acclaimed book by award-winning author Marita Conlon-McKenna.

Cahoots NI continues to work closely with local schools and businesses in Northern Ireland. Performing regularly for both primary and secondary school children throughout the year, Cahoots NI offers pupils the opportunity to attend productions outside of the classroom within a professional theatre setting. Working in partnership with locals businesses, Cahoots NI has delivered a variety of bespoke workshops, productions and events for both employees and customers alike.

International touring is now an annual activity for the company and with the ongoing reinvestment of profits back into new show development, Cahoots NI has set itself apart as the most exciting, imaginative and forward thinking children’s theatre company in Northern Ireland. The dazzling Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries sets off on a USA tour this autumn, after a successful summer tour of schools and venues across Northern Ireland. Cahoots NI ’s acclaimed production ‘Penguins’, a non-verbal dance piece inspired by the true love story of two male penguins in New York’s Central Park Zoo, has been officially selected out of over 100 International entries to perform at the IPAY (International Performing Arts for Youth) Showcase in Philadelphia in January 2019.

Cahoots NI Artistic Director Paul Bosco McEneaney, said;

“I like to think our work sparks questions and conversations that happen in the car on the way home, giving the experience life beyond the theatre- that's what it's all about!

Our small team works hard to make the magic happen, literally, on stage and off, to ensure we are making engaging theatre of the very highest quality for the very youngest of audiences.

Across 17 years as an organisation, no two days are ever the same. We have worked in theatres, shop windows, supermarkets, parks, tents, hospitals, homes and more with some of the finest creative talent in the country.

We are excited to look towards the future and what it may hold for Cahoots NI. We have some huge plans in development for new work here in Northern Ireland as well as some exciting new relationships being built in the USA and China.”